Chapter 2

Miyu gathers the roll of blueprints on her table. She has a schedule presentation today with one of their target clients. She made certain that all details on her design were right and she even made a research about what will be the best design that would fit the place and the target market. If ever that they'll acquire this big client then Miharu Designs will gain a reputation in the Architecture industry. She was almost out the door when someone appeared in front of her, she was startled that she dropped her stuff down the floor. Both of them bent down at the same time to pick up the blueprints.

"Sorry, Oyana- I mean Miyu." the man handed it to her the blueprints.

"No worries! I was in a hurry that I didn't notice you."

"Oh yeah, today is the meeting with Haven Group Real Estate." he looked at her and noticed that she was the only one holding the documents for the meeting. "Are you… with someone?"

Miyu was a bit surprised by his question. "Oh, I was supposed to go with Momoka but she had an emergency this morning."

"Is that so."

Miyu was about to go and head towards the elevator when he abruptly took the blueprints from her hand. He began to walk away without looking back at her. Miyu frowned and thought he was messing with her again. She walked faster, trying to catch up to him. "Hey, what are you doing?!"

Naoki smirked at her. "I'm coming with you."

"What? You can't just come with me." she objected and tried to take her stuff from him but he moved fast and raise his hand so that Miyu wouldn't reach the blueprints. "Hey! Give that back!" she demanded.

"No. I'm coming with you and that's an order."

Miyu sighed in defeat. "You know, even if you're my boss you can't just do whatever you want."

Naoki chuckled and place an arm around Miyu’s shoulder and leaned forward looking at her scowling face. "But if I don't do that then you'll refuse my offer without a second thought."

Miyu didn't bother arguing with him anymore. Naoki Suzuki was her classmate in Italy and after they graduated both of them returned to Japan and established a small design company named Miharu Designs Inc. Miyu was already used to Naoki's playful and bothersome attitude. Sometimes she did think that Naoki's attitude was the same as Haruko Serizawa, her classmate from High School.

***

They arrive at Haven Group head office an hour early before the meeting time. As they came in, they were aided inside the conference room to wait for the managers that will assess the presentation. As the two of them sit inside, Naoki's eyes never left Miyu’s face. On the other hand, Miyu was preoccupied with her presentation later. Haven Group is one of the largest construction companies and this will be her chance to seal the deal with them.

"I'm really lucky to have a designer like you," Naoki stated while gazing at her strong-minded face.

Miyu couldn't help but laugh at him. "So you better raise my salary then." she joked.

"Well, I do have a better idea."

She glanced at him in confusion. "What idea?"

"If you'll be my partner then it's a deal." Naoki leaned closer to her, making Miyu retreat. Naoki chuckled, "You're so cautious. Don't worry, I won't do anything. Not even after you dumped me so many times."

"Geez. Stop it, Naoki." Miyu pleaded. She can't be rattled before the presentation. "I'm fine with just working as your designer." Naoki could feel that barrier building around her every time they'll reach to the topic that involves her feelings, as if not letting anyone enter the chamber where her sleeping heart lays.

During their college days, Naoki kept confessing to Miyu even though she repeatedly declined his feelings. But the more she rejected him, the more he fell for her and if being close to her means staying as friends then he's fine with that… for now.

***

Four different design companies were qualified to join the bidding for their upcoming project. After seeing how confident the other design companies, Miyu started to feel agitated. The other companies going the bidding are from a respected design company that has been in the industry for years while Miharu Designs was just newly established. Naoki somehow noticed Miyu’s tension and decided to lighten her mood by patting her head gently. Miyu’s eyes swelled in surprise but only for a second. Naoki's action made her feel less anxious. Suddenly, some people came inside the conference room stood in front. Miyu immediately notices the man standing in the middle with such a strong aura. The man's eyes looked at everyone at the room from left to right as if slowly examining everyone's faces. Somehow Miyu felt a sudden chill like someone was keeping an eye on her every move.

"Good day everyone! I am pleased to welcome you to Haven Group." the man in the middle said then turned his face slightly to Miyu’s direction. "I am the Head of the Finance Department and I'll assess with the bidding today. Rest assured that the decision will still be from the CEO of Haven Group."

"Will the CEO attend today's bidding?" the guy from the other company asked.

"Sadly no. He's currently in a meeting but today's bidding would be showing live to the CEO so that he can still oversee all the presentation from each of you."

Naoki glance at Miyu and leaned slightly to her side. "Good luck," he whispered.

They begin with the presentation in chronological order, Miyu being the last. The head of the Finance Department listened carefully to the first three presentations and he would ask one question each only. By the look on his face, it was like nothing catches his interest.

Now it was Miyu’s turn to present her design. She heard her name called in front after the company's name. All eyes were at her as she stood up with confidence. She took the floor and greeted everyone with her sweet smile before starting.

"Good day! I am Oyanagi Miyu from Miharu Designs." she bowed slightly then proceed on showing her designs for the upcoming residential project of Haven Group. As her design reflected on the projector screen, silence filled the whole conference room. "My design for the new residential building of Haven Group is a mix of rusted industrial materials and flourishing greenery. I imagined native species of plants sprout out of structures that look like gigantic planters and it will be placed on each of the building's broad terraces giving the look of a 'tree taking roots in an abandoned factory.'" Miyu could see that different expressions on the assessors of the bidding. She was about to continue when the Head of the Finance Department stopped her.

"Well, why did you come up with such a design?"

"I based it on the location of the building. If you'll place the residential building in the lot where you can also see the ocean this will attract more people to come to the building. There's nothing else like it in the quiet industrial area on the outskirts of town. The uniqueness of the building structure plus the beauty of the scenery, this will be the factor to catch the target market."

"How about the cost of this kind of design? The design isn't the only factor that we should consider."

"That's an excellent question. The materials are recycled industrial material that would lessen the cost of the projects."

Everyone in the conference room was astounded when the man suddenly grinned, totally amused by her ideas. The man stood from her seat and face everyone.

"I think I've seen enough. I'll check with the CEO first and announce the winner of the bidding for today."

"B-But I haven't done with my presentation yet." Miyu interrupted.

"It's okay Ms. Oyanagi. Your design is enough for us to know who to pick." Miyu’s brows drew together in confusion. "Excuse me first. I'll be back in a few minutes." the man left together with the other representative from Haven Group.

Miyu felt weird from what happened. They didn't allow her to finish her presentation and it made her feel like they don't have the chance. She returned back to her seat with a gloomy expression.

"Hey, don't worry," Naoki whispered. "I think your design was unique and also beneficial to both parties."

"Yeah. But they didn't allow me to finish though."

"Have some faith. You're the best architect of Miharu Designs after all."

Miyu forced a smile but deep inside of her she felt futile. She won't forgive herself if she'll lose this bidding.

***

Outside the conference room, the Head of the Finance Department was on his phone and is having a serious conversation with someone on the other line.

"I guess you're right that girl is talented."

The guy on the other line smirked. "You're choosing them not because of my suggestion, right?"

"To be honest I want them out of the bidding." he looked at the window before continuing, "...but when I saw her design. It was out of the ordinary. That girl has potential."

The guy on the other line chuckled. "This is rare. It is the first time you actually praise someone, Itsuki."

Itsuki rubbed the back of his neck, hiding his irritation to the person he's talking to. "What time will you arrive? I'm tired of stalling for you."

"Just get the contract ready." then the line got disconnected.

Itsuki didn't expect him to just hang up on him. He sighed in frustration and it's not like he can do anything about it. He's the CEO of the company after all.

On the other hand, the guy that Itsuki was talking to just finished sending a message to his secretary at Haven Group. He dropped his phone to the empty seat next to him while staring at the moving scene outside his car window.

"We're almost at the office, Master Reo," Shijo said then glance at the rearview mirror of the car. He notices that same cold aura enclosing his Master. "Are you okay, Master Reo?"

"Yes. I didn't expect to see her this soon."

Shijo already knew who's occupying his mind right now. The only girl that can make him tense and lose his composure. He can see that cold gaze on his brownish-grey eyes, it was the same pair of eyes that he saw when he came home after his graduation from High School. Ever since then he began to change slowly as if turning into a walking robot, showing everyone the same emotionless face every day.

***

Itsuki returned to the conference room, holding two folders on his hand.

"Alright, so we already decided who won the bidding today. Please be aware that the decision came from the CEO and not just me alone."

Everyone in the room looked at each other with confidence as if claiming that they were the ones who won the bid. Miyu lowered her face, not wanting to meet their eyes. All her confidence were washed out when the assessor didn't even let her finish her presentation.

"So for the upcoming project of Haven Group." Itsuki opened one of the folders before continuing, "The company who won the bidding is…"

Miyu forced her eyes shut, not wanting to hear the result.

"We decided to pick…" his eyes darted at Haruhi who was not even listening to him. "It's Miharu Designs."

"What?!" the competitors said all together with the same amount of panic on their faces.

Naoki couldn't help himself and capture Haruhi in a tight embrace.

"We did it, Miyu."

Miyu’s eyes expanded after she heard their company name being chosen as the designer for the upcoming project. She wanted to cry with joy but at the same time, she felt disoriented about why they were chosen instead of the other participants of the bidding.

"My assistant here will explain to you the details of the contract. I have a meeting in a minute, so I'll arrange another meeting for us." Itsuki said to Miyu and Naoki.

"That's alright, Mr. Yamato. Just inform us when." Naoki replied then offer a handshake to Itsuki as a courtesy of sealing the deal.

Itsuki smirked and accepted his invitation. "Of course. I'm sure our CEO will be thrilled to meet you two."

His eyes bore into Miyu that it made her feel uncomfortable. She wanted to look away but instead, Itsuki grinned at her and left without saying another word.

She clenched her fist tightly until her nails dig into the palm of her hand, but she barely notices. The only thing she is really aware of is the sound of her heart throbbing against the cage of her chest. The way his black eyes glared at her, it was like a silent warning. Naoki notices her face as it loses color.

"Miyu?"

"I...I need to talk to him." Miyu stuttered and swiftly followed Itsuki to the door.

She ran as fast as she could and was able to catch up to him. Itsuki was surprised to see her following him. He waited as she catches her breath after running fast.

"What's the matter?" he asked in a stiff tone.

Miyu inhaled deeply before speaking. "Mr. Yamato, about the presentation…"

"I apologized to Ms. Oyanagi but I have to go now. Maybe we can talk about it some other time."

"But…" she pleaded. "I don't think we deserve to sign the contract since you didn't even let me finish my presentation." she finally understood the guilt spreading in her chest.

"Aren't you underestimating yourself?"

Before she was able to reply, she heard footsteps coming from behind her. Itsuki immediately bent his body forward as he saw the person who just appears at the scene.

"Boss, I was on my way to greet you." he stood straight and quickly glance at Miyu who was facing him.

Boss? So it's the CEO, she thought.

"That's okay. It seems like you got a company."

Miyu’s body stiffened. She knew who the owner of that voice is. Without thinking, she shifted her body towards the owner of that voice. Miyu thought that her brain stutters for a moment and her eyes were expanding slowly as his image sank into her mind. Every part of her goes on pause while her thoughts catch up.

"Re...Reo?"

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